
audiobook
by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne, William Roscoe
Chapter One.
Chapter Two. - The Butterfly’s Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast.
A lively chorus of forest creatures gathers beneath an ancient oak for a grand celebration, where butterflies flutter in bright silks, beetles trundle along with their tiny companions, and buzzing bees bring honey for the feast. The invitation comes from the sprightly trumpeter Gadfly, whose horn summons insects of every shape and hue to share music, dancing, and laughter on the smooth, grassy clearing. As the sun warms the meadow, friendships bloom between unlikely pairs—a blind beetle and his ant friend, a shy dormouse and his mole cousin, and even a cautious snail that promises a graceful minuet.
The festivities unfold with whimsical detail: a mushroom serves as the banquet table, a glow‑worm lights the twilight, and the air is scented with wildflowers and honey. Each guest contributes a favorite treat, creating a mosaic of flavors that reflects the diversity of the woodland community. Amid the merriment, listeners are invited to revel in the gentle humor and heartfelt camaraderie that make this enchanted gathering a timeless delight for listeners of all ages.
Language
en
Duration
~27 minutes (26K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2007-06-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1825–1894
Best known for classic adventure stories such as The Coral Island, this Scottish writer drew on real travel and working life to give his tales energy, danger, and a strong sense of place. He wrote for young readers, but his stories still carry the pull of exploration and survival.
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1753–1831
A self-taught writer from Liverpool, he became known as an early voice against the slave trade and as the author of the lively children's poem The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast. His life also ranged across history, politics, art collecting, and botany, making him one of the most wide-ranging literary figures of his time.
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by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne